Kia KM450

Light utility vehicle

The Kia KM450 light
all-terrain military truck is in service with the South Korean Army

Entered service

late 1990s

Configuration

4x4

Cab seating

1 + 13 men

Dimensions and weight

Weight (curb)

3.1 t

Maximum load

1.35 t

Length

5.4 m

Width

2.18
m

Height

2.5 m

Mobility

Engine

D4DA diesel

Engine power

139 hp

Maximum road speed

104 km/h

Range

880 km

Maneuverability

Gradient

60%

Side slope

40%

Vertical step

~ 0.5 m

Trench

~ 0.5 m

Fording

0.76 m

The Kia
KM450 is a light 4x4 multipurpose all-terrain military truck. It is a modern
license-produced version of the US M715, designed in the mid-1960s.
The KM450 was first introduced in 1998. This military vehicle is in
service with South Korea Army and has been exported to some
countries.

The baseline
version is a troop/cargo carrier. It offers substantially more room
and hauling capacity, than the smaller
Kia KM420. This military
vehicle has a payload capacity of 1 530 kg on hard surface roads
and 1 330 kg on cross-country terrain. It cal also tow light
trailers or artillery pieces.

Cab of the
KM450 accommodates driver and one passenger. It has an open top,
covered with canvas cover. The windshield can be
folded down for added combat versatility.

The slated
cargo body walls also serve as troop seats when folded down,
accommodating up to 12 fully-armed troops. Troop/cargo area is
covered with removable bows and canvas cover. It is estimated that
500 Korean KM450 series vehicles have been fitted with a basic armor
kit.

The Kia
KM450 is powered by a D4DA 3.9-liter diesel engine, developing 139
hp. It is coupled with manual transmission. Despite similar
appearance to the M715, the KM450 series trucks are different in a number of
areas, including mechanical systems. The Kia KM450 military truck
features a sturdy full grille guard to protect the front from
damage.

Variants

Kia KM451
field ambulance, designed to evacuate wounded soldiers from the
battlefield. It has a fully-enclosed van body and can carry up to
eight troops with minor injuries or five troops with serious ones;

Kia KM452
shop van;

Kia KM453
NBC reconnaissance vehicle.

Other
variants include a telecommunications van, surveillance
decoding van, artillery fire control van and explosive ordnance van,
that are not designated yet.